Plan ahead for 21st annual Holiday Parade of Lights and Red Nose Run

Thursday, Nov., 17, 2016 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents and motorists to be prepared for significant crowds anticipated at the 21st annual Holiday Parade of Lights and the Red Nose Run, being held on Saturday, Nov. 19 in downtown Halifax.

With thousands of spectators expected to line the parade route, residents are urged to plan their travel in advance and consider taking public transit to and from downtown Halifax, as parking may be limited and traffic will be heavy.

The Red Nose Run will kick-off at 5:45 p.m. just ahead of the parade, which will begin at approximately 6 p.m. on Upper Water Street, south of the CFB Halifax Dockyard. Participants will then travel along Barrington Street, right onto Spring Garden Road, left onto South Park Street and finally right onto University Avenue. The parade then continues past the IWK Children’s Hospital and ends at the corner of University Avenue and Robie Street.

Streets along the parade route will be closed to traffic beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov.19, and will remain closed until the parade is over, at approximately 8 p.m. Please note that Robie Street at University Avenue will also shut down at 4:30 p.m.

There will be no parking anywhere along the parade route between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov.19, including parking meters, which will be covered with Special Event bags. Please be reminded that there is no parking allowed at any time in bicycle lanes, as per the Motor Vehicle Act. Vehicles in violation will be ticketed and towed.

Halifax Transit is offering free ferry service between the Alderney and Halifax ferry terminals, beginning at 3 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., and will operate on a 15-minute frequency during this time period. In lieu of fare payment, ferry passengers are encouraged to bring a food or monetary donation to support the Parker Street Food Bank this holiday season.

Halifax Transit buses that normally travel on the affected downtown Halifax streets will be detoured starting at 6 p.m. Residents can visit the Service Disruptions page for more information on the affected routes.

The Macdonald Bridge is scheduled to be open at 2 p.m. on Saturday through until 10 p.m., at which time it will close for the remainder of the weekend. For the most up-to-date details on Macdonald Bridge closures visit www.hdbc.ca/updatesclosure-times.

The Halifax Regional Municipality, the Chronicle Herald, Downtown Halifax Business Commission and all event sponsors appreciate your patience and cooperation to help make the 21st annual Holiday Parade of Lights and Red Nose Run a safe and enjoyable night for everyone.